Arctic Slope Regional Corp. (ASRC) Energy Services, an Alaskan oilfield service partner, has been using creative methods to transport its fleet vehicles to remote areas of the state, including replacing a vehicle's wheels with smaller ones so the vehicle fits into an airplane.

The fleet has been adding 2015 Chevrolet Colorado mid-size pickups and air-lifting the trucks using a Shorts 330 Sherpa airplane. ASRC Energy Services has been experimenting with this shipping method when weather conditions permit and to meet delivery deadlines.  

"Our fleet vehicles double as mobile offices for the majority of our employees, so we need to give them dependable vehicles in the remote areas where they work," said Chris Maynard, general manager of fleet operations for ASRC Energy Services. "These locations can vary from areas with no electricity to temporary roads built on top of the frozen tundra."

Their total fleet size ranges from 600 to 1,000 vehicles a year, and they purchase 100 to 200 vehicles annually as part of their rotation plan.

To fulfill its fleet's needs and ensure its employees can travel easily across Alaska, ASRC Energy Services uses Chevrolet's three-truck strategy: Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD.

The Silverado 1500, as a light-duty truck, helps ASRC's management team get to and from project sites and transport clients. The Colorado is able to meet those same needs with a smaller footprint. The Silverado HDs are a year-round, durable yet dependable truck that aids client operations in the oil and gas market, according to General Motors.

The Chevrolet trucks serve as towing vehicles, to bring trailers, mobile heaters and lights to construction zones. They also service heavy equipment.

The fleet uses “arctic upfits” to navigate the changing weather and terrain. These modifications include adding pan or transmission heaters, wind straps for the doors and -40 degree Fahrenheit fluids. Safety and rescue features are also added, including fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and flares. Most vehicles get reflective striping for detection during winter.

"We build our trucks with companies like Arctic Slope in mind," said John Schwegman, GM's director of commercial product. "Their employees don’t have time to worry about how the vehicle will operate when the weather is 40 degrees below zero. We ensure our vehicle's performance will stand up to the test so they can get their work done."